During a 24-year career, Phil Niekro relied not on velocity-but on a fluttering knuckleball-to frustrate major league hitters. His lifetime record of 318-274 produced a winning percentage significantly higher than those teams for which he pitched. "Knucksie" twice led the National League in wins and propelled Atlanta to the National League West title in 1969, when he recorded 23 victories, 21 complete games and a 2.57 ERA. A five-time All-Star, he no-hit the Padres on August 5, 1973, and later managed the all-women Colorado Silver Bullets baseball team.